Analysis of Hydrogen Enrichment in Gasoline Fueled Premixed Spark-Ignition Engine

The overall combustion-related performance of the engine is highly dependent on the in-cylinder fuel distribution and equivalence ratio. Instead of pure hydrogen powered engines, the concept of hydrogen enrichment to petroleum based fuels for use in internal combustions engines generates greater interest. The hydrogen enrichment does not require any major engine design changes and involves fewer modifications to the engines and their fueling system.

A comprehensive study was performed for a detailed analysis of combustion efficiency, thermal efficiency, indicated power, fuel concentration and temperature plots. The criterion of this study was to ensure high combustion efficiency. This study provided detailed information on a premixed single-component fuel and on dual-fuel cases. Addition of hydrogen in the premixed case showed a trend of increase in the combustion efficiency, thermal efficiency, indicated power and encouraged a complete burn of the fuel mixture in the engine. The temperature decrease at high concentrations of hydrogen implies low emissions. It shows that if a small amount of hydrogen is premixed with gasoline, it will encourage a complete burn which will burn the entire fuel vapor, thereby making it a cost effective process, and will reduce the emissions.